Autosled.



K. BELKO.

'AUT0SLED.4

APPLICATION man DEc..e,191s

Patented oct. 5, 1915.

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.enrosnnn Specification of Letters Eatent. i Patented 061;. 5,1915. Application led December, 6, X313. Serial No. 80H34@ i i' it may concern sectional view of oney of thedrivingwheels;

Beit known that I, KLMN Benno, subject ofthe Emperor of Austria-Himgary, 'residing at Pelouse', in the county of `Whit nia-n and State of--Washington, have invente'd certain new and useful Improvements in 'and' Relating to 'Autosleds, of which the following is .a specification. This invention relates ,adapted totravel over ice and snow covered surfaces, and y'particularly to the driving Jvheelsv of the sled.

l@ne object'of the invention is to provide improved form of auto sled driving wheel adapted to have efficient tractive effect upon the snow. i

Another object of videa 'driving wheel for an auto sled in which. the 'parts are correlated to adapt,

themselvesto any unevenness in the ground -andgobstructions without causing injury or damage to the wheel.

Another ob'ect ofthe invention is to provide a strong and rigid driving wheel capable 'of resisting strains without affecting the power 4of the wheel when in operation.. Y A other'object of the invention consists in 'providing a driving wheel vfor an auto sled having spring operated members adaptedto .yield vwhen contacting with obstructions in or on the surface vof the snow or ice to avoid breakage and strains-upon the driving wheels themselves or 'upon other parts of. the vnhicle.-

Another object A'of the' invention consists in providing the driving wheel with removable propeller blades adapted to increase the`traction effect when the` sled is passing vthrough' deep or loose snow.

I With 4these and .other objects in view,l .the ,invention consists in the parts' and combination of parts hereinafter described and claimed inthe appended claims.

Alefefr-rin'g to the'drawings, wherein have' illustrted one 'embodiment of my inven- 'tion-Figured is a side elevation of Van auto. sled embodying my invention. Fig. 2 isa fragmentary sectional view showing one of the rearv runners in 'elevation and the. casing forf'one of the elevatingdevices, the casing 'being broken away: Fig. 3 lis a side eleva- .tion 'of one. of the 4driving wheels, a few of the spokes beingshownas provided with 'propellerblades.. Eig. is a' fragmentary to an auto sled` the invention isto pro Fig. 5 is atransverse sectional view through one of the driving wheels on the line 5-5 of Fig-3.

In' an automobile having one or more seats 1 and a hood lb'adapted to inclose ya suitable engine' (not shown). The. body and hood are mounted on a suitable frame 2.

4, indicate the front. and rear. axles, re,

'l spectively, for the automobile` and adapted toreceive a. set of wheels (not Shown) Ain a well known manner.

'the drawings, l indicates the body of.

5 indicates the springs interposed between I the axles 3, 4, and'thefra-me 2.

Gfindicates the drive shaft through whichl the power from the engine is communicated to the rear axle 4 to propel' the automobile or auto sled, as the case may be. The rear axle 4 preferably comprises al casing la through which the live axle section 4i extends.'

' ltwill be nderstood'that the parts so far described may be of any standard or .pre-

ferred form'of construction. As these parts, i

in themselves, form no part of my invention, further description thereof will not be, nec' essary.

7 indicate the front runners for the auto sled or vehicle, onlyone runner being shown. The runner 7 is preferably of inverted 'T-l shape, its base or snow-engagingmember being relatively wide for a. purpose to be hereinafter set forth. The web .7 of the runner 7 serves to strengthenit from end to end.'v

7 indicates a pair of upwardly inclined standards fixed at their lower endsin a well known manner to the runner 7. .At their vvupper ends, the standards 7a are/connected together by .strap members (not) shown) which are formed to receive betweenthem the spindles of the front axle 3. Each strap member is detachable to'permit the attachment and detachment of the runner 7 to the axle 3. The strap members are preferably of a width to ft between the inner collar of the axle spindle and the cap 3a, whereby the latter in coperation with the collar, may prevent movement'. of the adjacent runner longitudinally of the axle 3.

9 indicates the rear' runners, one only being shown.v The runner 9 is preferably of niverted T-shape'and so` ewhat longer than the front runner 7.

. indicates an upright hollow guide member-for casing;` supported on the runner fl'he member 10'is preferably cut away at 10a to receive the web 9a of the adjacent runner in order that its .lower end may rest upon the base portion 9a of the runner and midway between its opposite longitudinal edges. rlhe rear runners 9 are preferably arranged directly below the 'rear springs for the vehicle.

11 indicates a pair of upwardly inclined.

parallel arranged standards which are fixed' position, thus overcoming in an Aetlicientmanner all strains imparted to the runners A due to uneven surfaces over which they pass.

' M indicates as an entirety adjustable supporting and elevating means for the vehicle. preferably interposed' between the casesl l0 and rear`.axle 4. Of these means. 14a, 11i". indicate a pair of slides superposed relatively to each other and movable vertically in each case 10. The 'slides 14a. lll". are of a the inner walls of the adjacent case 10. rl`he vupper end of the slide 14a is ,qrooved to receive the rear axle casing` da to which it is secured by asimilarlygrooved member 14C. whereby said axle d may be. elevated or lowered@ as desired.' IrThe member 14 may be provided with'suitable loops 14e adapted to engage the adjacent spring 5, thus serving as a single means vtor securing the spring., axle and slide together. i

1d indicates a yieldable device,v preferably a coiled spring, interposed between the slides 55. over obstruct-ions and uneven surfaces with- -w 14?. 14", and permitting movement of the slides relative .to each other. ,The spring ltd absorbs shocks and jars, prevents the parts constituting the elevating means from rattling andpermits therunners 9 to yield.. relative to the vehicle frame, when passino:

out Aaifectingz the tract-ion of the wheels l5 (which are hereinafter described) for driving the vehicle forwardly and rearwardly.'

manana nism 16". rthe mechanism 16b consists of a shaft 16C having a ratchet wheel 16d fixed thereto, a lever 16e loosely pivoted on the shaft 16c Aand carrying a double pawl 16. a pair oflevers 16s, 16g', and two lines of connections 16h, 16h'. leadingr from the levers 16g. 16g to the lever 216 and pawl 16*e respectively. rll`he levers 16g. 16g' are arranged adjacent to the drivers seat 1a in thev vehicle so that the driver can manipulate each lever when desired. 4The levers 16l 16g. are mounted in any suitable manner upon the frame of the vehicle. The lever 16g, which is connected to the lever 16e. is reciprocable and transmits intermittent movement in one direction to the ratchet 16d. according to the position of the pawl 16 When it is desired to rotate'the ratchet, 16d in the opposite direction. the lever 16g' is manipulated and. acting through the line of connection 16h. shifts the pawl 16 on its pivot so that its other vnose will engage the ratchet 16d. lf now the lever 16g is reciprocated. the ratchet wheel 16d will be intermittently operated in the other direction; The operation of the ratchet wheel 16d in one direction will elevate the slide 1lb'. which in turn. actingr on the spring;1 14C. will velevate the slide 14a. thus raising; the rear axle 4 and the parts connected therewith. `When it is desired to lower the rear axle l and the parts .connected therewith'. the ratchet 16d is rotated in the -opposite direction. thus permittinu' the axle i to move downwardly under the influence of gravity. size to slidably vht within, and be guidedby vThe drivingl wheels 15 are preferably arranged in line with the frontrunners'in order that the snow lying in the path or track ofand engaged b v thedriving wheels may be packed or compressed b v the weight ,of the vehicle. rlhis operation of the front runners forms a track of hard snow to be engaged by the driving wheels 15 and thus increases the traction eect between the wheels and the snow. The trontrunners 7. as already set forth-are relatively wide. that is. they are wider than the spokes 15 of the Y driving wheels 15in order that a compressed snow track of suiicient width and greater than the widthy of thedriving wheels may be formed.

Referring to the driving wheel. 15a indicates a-hub having a web 15. an annular member 15a surrounding the web 15* and projecting laterally from opposite sides thereof, and a bearing 15b of suit-able construction to tthe spindle of the rear axle l when the rear road wheel has beenV removed. The hub l5a is preferably of such construction that the same nut. indicated at 15b. for the roadwheel will hold the driving` wheel l5 in'position on the axle. The spokes l5 comprise tubular members having flanges 15c at their inner ends. by means of which they may be detachably secured to the annu- Luiawae ably of triangular shape (see Fig. 4f). This construction permits the spokes to be arranged closely together with the side edges of the flanges in engagement with each other,whereby they will/co-act to prevent twisting'of the spokes on the annular-member 15a- As a result of this arrangemente ,the inner'ends of adjoining-spokes are disposed on opposite sidesV of a longitudinal plane passing centrally through the wheel;

however, as each spo'ke member-15" 'is'inclined laterally', it will be seen that the free 'ends of the spoke members all terminate in the same vertical plane, which is preferably the central longitudinal plane of the wheel.

15e indicates a memberslidably mounted in and arranged to project youtwardly from the free end of eachspoke 15. As will be understood from the drawings. the opening through the spoke 15', near the outer end thereof, is contracted to form a shoulder ld, which is adapted to be engaged b v the head 15e of the slidable member 15e to limit the movement thereof in the outward direci tion. The slidable member 15e is preferably formed of two parts, 'an outer part 15X of soft iron and an inner part or core 15X of hard material, in order that the free o r con tact end of themember may remain sharp or pointed at all times, as will be well understood.

15 indicates a thrust4 spring mounted within each spoke member -15 and normally engaging at itsopposite. ends the annular member 15a and the head 15e of the slidable member 15e. This spring'l operates to push or thrust the slidable member 15e outwzrdly and radially, but permits said member to yield or contract in' opposition to the tension thereof when the sli'dable member comes into contact with an obstruction or elevation in the'snow through. or over which the driving wheel 15 is passing. The inner end of each spring may be lsecured to the spoke member 15 or to the annular mem- 15g indicates a guide bar extending longitudinally of and within eac'hspoke member 15 and disposed cent-rally of the adjacent 'spring 15f. 1t is preferably detachably secured, as by means of screw threads fitting a screw threaded opening in the annular member 15a. The bar 15g operates to guide the spring 15t during compression and expansion; its free end also operates as a stop 'to limit the inward movement of the adjacent slidable memberle. The screw thread.- ed connection betweenthe inner endoof each bar 15g and the annular member' 15a permits the bar 15g to lbe adjusted endwise or longitudin'ally` of the adjacent spoke. This ad justability'of the bar 15g is advantageous.

it may be moved outwardly' from time to time, whereby its free end may be posivtioned` to operate at all times asa'stcp for the slidable member 15e as the latter wea-rs away and becomes shorter.

15h indicates a pair of bands disposed upon opposite sides and near the free ends of the spokes 15. The bands 15h are preferleach other and strengthening the wheel structure throughout.

16 indicates a propeller blade preferably detachably secured to each spoke 15 and eX- tending laterallv therefrom. Each blade y16 is preferablyfixed to the adjacentspoke 15 by apair of U-shaped members 16, the

vopposite ends of which are screw threaded to receive nuts 16". At 16C each blade 16 is formed with a slot to permit it to lit overone of the bands 15h. rllhe purpose of the blades is to form a. relatively wide surface to engage'the snow. whereby the traction be tween the driving 'wheels and the snow' may be efectivel The blades 16 are particularly adapted for use when the snow is loose and not thickly compressed. and deep. I prefer to so arrange the blades 16 that the blade on one spoke 15" will project laterally to one side of the wheel and the blade on the ad'- joining spoke 1 5 will project laterally tothe other side of the wheel. As a result of this construction. each blade 16 acts upon the snowv to increase the traction between Athe driving wheel and the snow; in other words, the blade 16 carried by that spoke 15 which at any particular instant is transmitting forward movement to the vehicle, engages the snow in its immediate vicinity on one side only of the wheel and leaves the snow on the other side of the wheel'substantially untouched for engagement by the blade 16 of the. succeeding spoke 15. 'It will thus be seen that each blade 16 engages with snow which has not been displaced by the passage therethrough of the previous spoke 15. 1t will also be seen that. the arrangement permits the spacing of correspondingly varraigged blades suiliciently far apart. so that after one blade has acted upon the snow the wheel will traverse a distance therethrough far enough to permit the next correspondingly arranged blade to act upon or engage with a new portion or body/of snow.`

It will be noted that my invention is-not limited to the embodimentthereof 4which have chosen to illustrate and described herein, it being obvious that changes therein can l nection with the' lines of connection i6, 16h

' connection 16", 16"' withtheadjacent eleraton the remote' side of the auto sled as viewed .in-Fig.' l, in order that the elevating means ll for both rear drivingwheels maj;r -be operated simultaneously/. It desired, two pairs 'of levers 16g, 16g maf,7 be provided,each pair,

being connected thronghseparate lines of ing means, l-l, so thateither of 'said elevating means may beope'rated and controlled indemdentlv'. oft-he other elevating means.

tat-,l claimis:

i.` in a driving when for an ma@ sled, in,

VYc("ma'bination'of` a hub having an annular' member, a series of hollow spokes detachably connectedl to Asaid annular member, a

Islide member slidably mounted in each spoke' and normally projecting beyond-.the end thereof, and a compression spring arranged within'each of said spokes for maintai the adjacent. slide member in. projected posinon, .the said spring permitting lthel slide 'member to retract when engaging an obstruction.

2.111 a driving wheel for an auto sled, the combination' of a hub lnivingan annular member, a series of hollow spokes detachably connected to said member and each having a contracted axial opening at its free end to form a shoulder, a slide member slidably mounted in the'contracted opening of ablyY connected to said member and each having a contracted axial opening at its free'end to form ashoulder, 1a slide member slidablv mounted in 'the contractedv opening formed in each spoke and normallvprojecting in axial line with and bevond the free end of the spoke, the said slide member having a head arranged to engage the shoulder to limit its outward morement. and a cornression sii-ine' arranved within each of said spokes and engaging the' annular member and the head of the slide member at its opposite ende. whereinv said slide member is i:ieldinglv maintained in projected position.

l. ln a dring wheel or an auto sled, the combination of a hub having anannular member. a. series of hollow spokes connected ,to said member,- a slide member slidably mounted in each spoke and normally projecting beyond the free end thereof, a compression spring mounted in each of said insegne'.

spokes and arranged to engage the adjacent, slide member for maintaining it in projected position. and a rod centrally disposed in V and extending longitudinally of each spoke for guiding the spring during con"- pression. I

5. ln a driring wheel for an auto sled, the combination of a hub having an annular member, a series of hollow' spokes connected to said member. a slide member slidably p mounted in each spoke and normally projecting bevond the free end thereof, a. Acompression springr mounted in each of said spokes and arranged to engage the adjacent slide member for maintaining it in-pr'ojected position, and a rod centrally disposed in and exten longitudinally ofeach spokev for guiding the adjacent, sprinnrx during com'- pression, the free end of the rod serving as a stop to limit the retractionof the adjacent. slide member.

6. ln a wheel for an auto sled, the

of and normally7 projecting beyond its "end, -a compression spring arranged within each spoke and arranged to engage the adjacent slide member .for maintaining itin 'combination of a hnb having al1-annular -memben -a series of hollow spokes connected to said annular member, a slide member l' -monnted in each. spoke to slide amally there/- projected position, and a rod within each. v

spoke and arranged in line .withits anis and the axis of said slide member the free endv ot the rod serving as a stop to retraction of the, adjacent; 4slide memmr when engaging-an obstruction.

7. .In a driving wheelfor an aut/o sled, the combination vof a hub having an annular member, a series of hollow spokes connected at their inner ends to said annular member, a lvieldable devicel slidably mounted in the free end of each spoke and.- normally projecting bevond the free end thereof, a compression spring mounted in each of said spokes and in engagement with the adjacent slidable device for maintaining it in normal position, and a rod arranged Wit each spoke, one end ofthe rod being adjustablv connected bo the annular member and its opposite end serving as a stop to limit the retraction of said slidable device.

'8. ln a driving wheel for an auto sled, the

combination of a hub having' "an annularl member. a series of spokes each provided with a triangular flange, the saidl spokes being arranged alternatellvr upon opposite sides of the central longitudinal plane of the hub to permit the ianges of adjoining' spokes to be arranged edge to edge,'and means for detachabljvv securing the Hanges to said annular member.

9. In a driving wheel for an auto sled, the

'u the ian combination of a hub havingan annular member, a series of spokes each4 provided with a triangular flange, the said spokes being arranged alternately upon opposite sides of the central longitudinal plane of the hub to permit the flanges of adjoining spokes vto be arranged edge to edge, the said spokes being inclined toward each other, whereby'they terminate at their free ends in the central longitudinal plane of the hub.

10. In a driving wheel for-an auto sled, the combination of a hub, a series of hollow spokes connected thereto, a device' slidably mounted in and normally projecting beyond the free end of each spoke, the said device comprising a core of hard material and a sleeve of relatively soft material, and means for yieldingly maintaining the said device in normal position.

spokes and projecting therefrom at right 'angles to 'the plane of the Wheel, the blades on adjoiningA spokes projecting in opposite directions.

12. In a driving wheel for an auto sled, the combination of ahub, a series of spokes secured thereto, the said spokes being alter. nately disposed upon opposite sides of the central longitudinal plane of the .hub and inclined relative thereto, whereby the free ends of the spokes terminate in said plane,

and vlaterally projecting propeller blades carried "by said spokes, the blade on'one spoke projecting opposite to the blade on the adjoining spoke.

KLMN BELKO.

Witness: l

J. C. ZESIGER, GEO. LAMPHERE, Jr. 

